Embroidery Basics

Embroidery is a wonderfully expressive craft that employs a variety of different techniques. Here are a few of the basics. If you are interested in learning more about embroidery, explore our collection of embroidery books and patterns.

Backstitch

Bring the needle and thread from the back to the front of the fabric. Put the needle down through the fabric about 1/8-inch away from where you started (For right-handers, it may feel more natural to move to the left; left-handers may prefer the right).

Bring the needle up approximately 1/8-inch away from where you went down. Pull the thread through. Put the needle back down in the same spot you did before, taking a backstitch.

Chain Stitch

Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric and pull the thread through. Put the needle back through the fabric a scant 1/16-inch from where you began, but do not pull the thread all the way through. Leave a short, loose loop. Bring the needle back up about 1/4-inch away, and pull the thread up through the loop. Put the needle back through the fabric, catching the loop and leaving a new loop through which to pull the needle on your next stitch.

Satin Stitch

Begin as you would for a running stitch, by making a single stitch. Bring your needle back up through the fabric directly next to where you began the first stitch. Make a parallel stitch to the first as close to the first stitch as possible. Repeat to create a solid field.